Blast protective boot and overboot construction

ABSTRACT

A boot sole having an insole resistant to penetration of emitted particles and shock. An outsole is secured to the insole and an upper, the sole having a cavity provided therewithin with a shock attenuator capable of compression or collapse under high stress within the cavity. The portion of the shock attenuator remote from the insole is preferably V-shaped to deflect particles impinging thereon away from the boot wearer. The shock attenuator preferably is ringed with a high strength shell acting as a pressure plate at the time of shockwave from explosion for added protection. Rubber cleats can be disposed on the outsole to provide additional ground clearance for deflection of blast energy from under foot and to allow for additional wear of the sole. The overboot sole embodiment is fitted with adjustable straps to provide a good fit between the overboot and the boot on which it will be mounted and provides blast protection in identical fashion as the described boot.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND BACKGROUND

[0001] This invention relates to the construction of a boot or overboot and, more specifically to a blast protective sole construction for a boot or overboot.

[0002] In the construction of boots and overboots, primarily for military and law enforcement use, a primary consideration is protection against detonations emanating from beneath the boot, such as in the case of land mines and the like. While the prior art has been aware of this requirement and has provided boots and overboots which provide a modicum of protection from such detonations by the use of polyaramid (Kevlar™) cloths, metal and the like as or on the insole, these prior art modes of protection have not taken into account the stress incurred on the body and leg of the individual wearing the boot due to such detonations. It is therefore apparent that a boot sole or overboot sole is required that has the capability of concurrently performing the functions of both protection from particles emanating upwardly due to the detonation as well as protection from absorbing shock caused by the detonation itself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In accordance with the present invention, the above described problems inherent in the prior art are minimized by providing a boot and overboot which are capable of absorbing shock while also providing protection against upwardly moving particles emitted due to detonations beneath the boot sole.

[0004] Briefly, the above is accomplished by providing a boot having a boot sole or overboot sole which includes an insole which is resistant to the penetration therethrough of upwardly travelling emitted particles, preferably but not limited to a polyaramid insole. The polyaramid can be in one or in several layers, preferably fused together, preferably with rubber. Secured to the insole is an outsole which is preferably formed of a lightweight material, preferably a polyurethane. The outsole may have cleats made preferably of rubber along the length of the footwear to provide additional durability, traction, abrasion resistance, shock absorbance, and provide ground clearance. A cavity is provided within the outsole and preferably within the rear portion of the outsole directly beneath the leg of the wearer for disposal therein of a shock attenuator or energy absorber capable of compression or collapse under high stress. The shock attenuator is preferably but not limited to one of an energy absorbing honeycomb, lattice or the like of metal, polyaramid or other materials providing these energy absorbing properties. The portion of the shock attenuator remote from the insole is preferably somewhat V-shaped and, in any event, is shaped to deflect particles and upward forces impinging thereon away from the leg of the boot wearer. The shock attenuator preferably is ringed with one or more layers of metal, polyaramid or other suitable high strength material for added protection to the leg. The cleats provide additional ground clearance for deflection of blast energy from under foot and to allow for additional wear of the sole. The overboot sole embodiment relates to a device which is fitted over the sole of the standard military (non-blast protective) or non-military boot or used in conjunction with a blast protective boot for maximum protection. The overboot is fitted with an adjustable device, such as, for example, adjustable straps or the like to provide a good fit between the overboot and the boot on which it will be mounted. The feature of the adjustable strap provides the capability of fitting the overboot to different sizes as well as different shapes of boots.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1 is a cross sectional side view of the boot in accordance with the present invention; and

[0006]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side view of an overboot in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0007] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a boot 1 in accordance with the present invention. The boot contains the standard upper 3, preferably of leather secured to a polyaramid insole 7. The upper can optionally include a lining 5 providing comfort and/or moisture vapor transmission properties. The upper can also include one or more layers of polyaramid for improved protection in the region of the upper. The insole 7 is formed of plural polyaramid layers which are fused together. A lightweight preferably polyurethane outsole 9 is secured to the insole 7 and the upper 3. The outsole 9 has cleats 11 at least at the toe portion thereof, though the cleats can be disposed along the entire outsole, and a cavity 13 along the length of the sole at the rearward portion thereof which contains therein a collapsible shock absorbing matrix 15 which acts as a shock attenuator. The shock attenuator 15 is preferably embedded within the outsole 9. Rubber tread studs 17 are disposed on the outsole 9.

[0008] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an overboot 21 in accordance with the present invention wherein the sole structure is identical to the sole structure of FIG. 1 with like reference characters depicting like structures. In this embodiment, the upper 23 is designed to fit over the sole and a portion of the upper of a boot. The upper 23 is adjustable by being formed from a pair of opposing and overlapping upper members (only one of which is shown). The overlapping members are placed in an overlapped state after the overboot has been placed over the boot sole to which it will be affixed to provide a snug fit with an adjustable strap 25 being secured to retain the overlapping members in place as well as the snugness of fit. The adjustable straps preferably each have a hook and loop (Velcro™) portion thereon or buckle or other suitable device and are secured to one of the overlapping members which also have a hook and loop thereon or buckle or other suitable mating device. It follows that the other of the overlapping members (not shown) will have a mating hook and loop or other appropriate member to provide the securing action.

[0009] Though the invention has been described with reference to specific preferred embodiments thereof, many variations and modifications will immediately become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore the intention that the appended claims be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications. 

1. A blast protective sole for a boot which comprises: an insole; and an outsole secured to said insole, said outsole including therein a cavity and a shock attenuator which is collapsible under pressure disposed within said cavity.
 2. The sole of claim 1 wherein said cavity is completely embedded within said outsole.
 3. The sole of claim 1 wherein said shock attenuator is one of a honeycomb or lattice.
 4. The sole of claim 2 wherein said shock attenuator is one of a honeycomb or lattice.
 5. The sole of claim 1 wherein said insole is formed of polyaramid cloth.
 6. The sole of claim 2 wherein said insole is formed of polyaramid cloth.
 7. The sole of claim 1 wherein said shock attenuator has a surface remote from said insole angled to deflect energy impinging thereon longitudinally of said insole.
 8. The sole of claim 3 wherein said shock attenuator has a surface remote from said insole angled to deflect energy impinging thereon longitudinally of said insole.
 9. The sole of claim 5 wherein said shock attenuator has a surface remote from said insole angled to deflect energy impinging thereon longitudinally of said insole.
 10. The sole of claim 1 further including a high strength shell disposed on said shock attenuator.
 11. The sole of claim 1 wherein said outsole includes tread extending outwardly therefrom and rubber cleats disposed over and secured to said outsole.
 12. A boot which includes: an upper; and a blast protective sole which comprises: an insole; and an outsole secured to said insole and upper, said outsole including therein a cavity and a shock attenuator which is collapsible under pressure disposed within said cavity.
 13. The boot of claim 12 wherein said cavity is completely embedded within said outsole.
 14. The boot of claim 12 wherein said shock attenuator is one of a honeycomb or lattice.
 15. The boot of claim 13 wherein said shock attenuator is one of a honeycomb or lattice.
 16. The boot of claim 12 wherein said insole is formed of polyaramid cloth.
 17. The boot of claim 12 wherein said shock attenuator has a surface remote from said insole angled to deflect energy impinging thereon longitudinally of said insole.
 18. The boot of claim 12 further including a high strength shell disposed on said shock attenuator.
 19. The boot of claim 12 wherein said outsole includes tread extending outwardly therefrom and rubber cleats disposed over and secured to said cleats.
 20. The boot of claim 12 wherein said upper includes opposing inner and outer surfaces, further includes at least one protective layer of polyaramid material on the inner surface of said upper.
 21. An overboot which includes: an upper, said upper including adjustment means for adjusting the fit of the upper over a boot; and a blast protective sole which comprises: an insole; and an outsole secured to said insole and upper, said outsole including therein a cavity and a shock attenuator which is collapsible under pressure disposed within said cavity.
 24. The overboot of claim 23 wherein said means for adjusting includes an adjustable strap secured to said upper. 